Part 1: Z3RO
> Area: Erasthia East Gate — Forgotten Mechanisms District
Class: Technomancer (Active Evolution)
Level: 10
Estimated IG Time: Morning
IRL Status: 8:54 AM — Scheduled Notification Active
Holographic glass towers and ancient stone arches dominated the horizon.
Daylight pierced the clouds filtered by the digital sky, and a wind laden with data and magic dust brushed Z3RO's boots.
He had barely passed through Erasthia's East Gates when the system triggered a visual sequence.
> [Welcome to Erasthia — Genesis Nexus City]
[Data Synchronized – Central Map Update Available]
[Areas Unlocked: Central Market | Combat Tower | Orias Archives | Arena of Judgment]
Z3RO paused for a moment, fascinated.
Before him, the central city buzzed with activity.
Players in golden armor, hooded figures, NPC merchants shouting dynamic prices.
Security drones, magnetic vehicles, and even holograms of floating tour guides. It was organized chaos... but beautiful.
He almost whispered, dazzled:
— "...This is where it all truly begins."
🏙️ Exploration: A Step Into the Future
He moved forward, narrowly avoiding a player mounted on a bipedal mechanical creature.
> "Hey, watch out, rookie!"
Z3RO ignored him, more focused on his surroundings than the taunts.
His gaze swept across the information panels:
ORIAS Tournament – Registration open
Judgment Arena – Solo PvP mode
Engineering Black Market – Restricted access, level 12+ only
Ruby Shop – Access to real-world trades with bank authentication
He frowned.
— "Is there any way to make real money here?... This is getting serious."
Strategic pause
He approached a public repair bench and launched his interface.
> [Inventory open]
Weapon: Energy Revolver (incomplete – unstable plasma mode)
Sidearm: Standard Dagger
Drone: B.I.T. — status: active, 72% energy
Craft: 54% complete for the N-E3 stabilizer
He added a new note to his notebook:
> Immediate Objective:
1. Finish the weapon before the tournament
2. Study the Battle Tower — face at least one Top Ranker
3. Scan the Arena to analyze the winning builds
But just as he was about to get up...
Imminent return to reality
> IRL Notification — 8:54 AM: Class at 10:00 AM. Preparation recommended.
[ORIAS: Autosave in progress — location: Erasthia Central District]
Z3RO grimaced.
— "Damn... I forgot about that damn finance class." »
He accessed the quick logout interface.
A faint halo surrounded him, then the surroundings vibrated like a blurred image.
> [Logging out…]
But just before disappearing, he took one last look at the central square.
Giant posters already showed the previous winners of the previous tournament: arrogant faces, brightly highlighted usernames, amazing equipment.
He smiled.
Part 2: Hakaijin
> Area: Eastern Route — Murim Outer Rim
Destination: Erasthia Secondary Gate
Level: 11
Special Quest Progress: 2/3 (Fragment of Shinjitsu no Yoru)
The misty shadows gradually faded as Hakaijin walked, his solitary figure advancing calmly, saber at his side, along the ancient path lined with digital lanterns.
He had just left the black lands of Murim after failing to fully purify the Silent Sanctuary trial. But this hadn't weakened him. On the contrary, he felt his mind sharper, his breath heavier... more present.
> "You failed to wield the weapon of truth... but you looked at your reflection without hesitation."
> [Effect: "Silent Void" inner stance temporarily retained — +10% mental focus]
His gaze rose toward the immense stone gates of Erasthia. Even here, the steel towers and glowing glyphs reminded us that this city, though welcoming, was the nerve center of a world shaped by the ORIAS AI.
He entered without a word, leaving the other players milling around him. Some were forming groups. Others were already looking for a master to learn a martial art from or sell rare loot.
Hakaijin, for his part, watched silently.
> [Save Point Reached — Erasthia: Blade Quarter]
He opened the interface. Not to check his stats. Just to breathe.
Then…
> 🔔 System Notification – IRL Call Waiting: [Father – Urgent]
He grimaced. The interface offered him a safe exit.
> — "…Back to the cage."
He clicked "Secure Disconnect."
[Real World — Renovated Warehouse, Lakeside, Seoul]
The capsule lid opened with a soft hiss. The fresh morning air rushed in, laden with mist and humidity. The warehouse walls were silent, insulated from the family commotion.
He sat on the edge, his face lit by the blue light of a holographic terminal resting on a crate.
The call was still active.
> — "Hello? Did you get the message, Ren?"
> — "Yes… Father."
> — "Tonight. The Heirs' Alliance Ball. The sons of Korea's most influential families will be there. Don't be late."
A silence.
> — "Do you want me to wear the traditional mask?"
> — "No. Wear the one you wear in the game. Show them your true colors." (sarcastic)
> — "Do you really think I don't know what you're doing in that isolated warehouse? Even your network connections are being monitored."
— "Are you seriously stalking me?"
— "I'm making sure my son doesn't stray into an illusion of freedom. I sent you a suit home, wear it."
The call cut out.
Ren froze for a moment.
Then he whispered:
> — "In this world or the next, I'm still a pawn…"
He grabbed his jacket and stepped out into the mist, his gaze lost between two realities.